Prep Races

The road to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is known simply as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge. From January 9th until October 12th, contenders will compete in a wide range of prep races across the world as they attempt to qualify for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup.

As the tagline for the Breeders’ Cup Challenge clearly states – all you have to do is “Win and You’re In”.

Winners from each of the challenge races will earn an automatic berth in to specific events at the Breeders’ Cup. We’ve provided a schedule below for you to see when races will run, where they’re hosted and what division they qualify victors for.

The remaining entries in to each of the 13 races at the Breeders’ Cup will be decided based on an application process where points acquired during the season will help fill out the remainder of the field.

Though not official prep races for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup, the Triple Crown contenders will sometimes toss their hats into the ring. The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes results all offer ways for handicappers to gauge the potential success of a horse in a high stakes race.

This doesn’t preclude 2016 Triple Crown contenders from the 2016 Breeders’ Cup. This season, fans and bettors alike hope that two Kentucky Derby winners in California Chrome and Nyquist meet.